The US State Department has put up a $10 million reward for information leading to the identification or location of Russian hackers targeting encrypted messaging platforms. This escalates the ongoing investigation into phishing campaigns that have compromised thousands of Signal and WhatsApp accounts since early 2024.

Attackers impersonate automated support messages, tricking users into clicking malicious links or providing verification codes. Once victims comply, hackers link their own devices to the compromised accounts or take complete control, locking out legitimate users. The scheme specifically targets current and former US government officials, military personnel, political figures, and journalists.

The FBI attributes these attacks to two Russian state-backed groups: UNC5792, linked to the Russian Federal Security Service's Border Guards, and UNC4221, operating for Russian military intelligence. These hackers attempt to bypass Signal's security protections by convincing targets to create backups and share recovery keys.

This bounty falls under the State Department's Rewards for Justice program, marking an aggressive response to foreign interference in secure communications. The move signals growing concern over Russian cyber operations targeting Western officials through popular encrypted messaging platforms.